Sample collection device
View Patent ↗Provided herein is technology relating to collecting samples of soft matter compositions, and particularly, but not exclusively, to devices and methods for collecting stool samples.
1. A device for collecting a sample from a soft matter composition, comprising:
a) a body; and
b) a detachable sample capsule attached to the body, said detachable sample capsule comprising:
i) a first half-scoop comprising a concave sample collection surface; and
ii) a second half-scoop comprising a second sample collection surface opposed to said concave sample collection surface of said first half-scoop;
wherein said detachable sample capsule is configured to move between an open state and a closed state, wherein the detachable sample capsule in said closed state comprises a sample collection space configured to enclose a sample;
and
c) an ejector mechanically connected to said body, said ejector configured to detach said detachable sample capsule from said body when said detachable sample capsule is in a closed state.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein said second sample collection surface comprises a second concave sample collection surface.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein:
a) when said detachable sample capsule is in said open state, said body is in a first state and said first half-scoop is separated from said second half-scoop; and
b) when said detachable sample capsule is in said closed state, said body is in a second state and said first half-scoop is in contact with said second half-scoop such that said concave sample collection surface of said first half-scoop and said second sample collection surface of said second half-scoop form said sample collection space.
4. A method of collecting a sample from a soft matter composition, comprising the steps of:
1) positioning a device according to claim 2 in an open state, so that said first half-scoop is placed on one side of a portion of said soft matter composition and the second half-scoop is placed on another side of said portion of said soft matter composition;
2) moving said device into said closed state, wherein said a sample of said soft matter composition is encapsulated in said sample collection space; and
3) actuating said ejector, wherein said detachable sample capsule is ejected from said body of said device.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said detachable sample capsule is ejected into a sample container.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein said device encapsulates a sample of said soft matter composition having a mass between about 1 and about 10 grams.
7. The method of claim 4 , wherein said soft matter composition is a food composition.
8. The method of claim 4 , wherein said soft matter composition is stool.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein said sample collection space has a volume between about 0.5 to 10 cubic centimeters.
10. A system for collecting a sample from a soft matter composition, comprising:
(a) a device according to claim 1 ; and
(b) a sample container;
wherein the sample container is configured to contain the detachable sample capsule of said device in a closed and detached state.
11. The system of claim 10 , further comprising a collection fluid.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein said collection fluid is contained in said sample container.
13. The system of claim 10 , further comprising instructions for use of the system.
14. The system of claim 10 , further comprising a receptacle configured to collect an entire specimen of said soft matter composition from a user.
15. A kit for collecting a sample of a soft matter composition, said kit comprising the system of claim 10 .
16. The device of claim 3 , further comprising a first clasp component and a second clasp component, wherein said first clasp component and said second clasp component engage to secure said article a state wherein said detachable sample capsule is in said closed state.